Dr. Lucija Tomljenovic is an early career postdoctoral fellow. She was awarded a PhD in 2009 in Biochemistry, from the Comparative Genomics Centre at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. In 2010, she joined the Neural Dynamics Research Group at the University of British Columbia (Chris Shaw’s lab) and is currently researching the neurotoxic effects of aluminum vaccine adjuvants. Tomljenovic has recently become an Associate Editor of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. She values open-minded discussions on controversial topics and the pursuit of truth in research endeavors, wherever they may lead. Panel: Kathleen Hallal, GMO Free News Host Rachel Linden, GMO Free News Co-Host Zoey O'Toole, Thinking Moms Revolution Dr. Lucija Tomljenovic Jack Olmsted, Producer Dr. Mercola Interview with Dr. Tomljenovic: How Vaccine Adjuvants Affect Your Brain http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/03/29/vaccine-adjuvants-brain-effects.aspx HPV Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Issues: Dr. Tomljenovic's in Vancouver, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Uu3iWA1UWw Question List: Dr. Tomljenovic: Regarding the questions, if there are no comments it means I will answer these questions during the show: Which vaccines cause the antibodies to attack the brain? Are some vaccines/adjuvants more prone to do this? Why or why not? Comment:That is the million dollar question that no one knows the answer to because this issue has not been studied well enough. Even the pharma admits that they do not know exactly how the adjuvants work. I can give some quotes from the pharma experts. Just wanted to let you know that I cannot answer this question any better than this. Did you test OTHER body tissues, or just the brain? Why would the phenomenon of mimicry only work on the brain tissue? Comment: It does not work only on brain tissue, it can work on any tissue where there is mimicry between the antigen of the virus/bacteria and that of the host Have you tried immunizing mice at reduced rates (fewer boosters, like they do in Scandanavian countries) and if so, do they have much fewer issues with autoimmunity? Comment: We have not immunized the mice (we did not inject them with vaccines), we have only given the mice aluminum in the amounts equivalent to that given to children via vaccinations in the US and Scandinavia. At the time we did this study, we did not look for any autoimmune markers, only behavioral outcomes as well as gene expression in the brains of these mice. In both parameters there were abnormal changes (i.e. abnormal behavior and increased expression of certain pro-inflammatory genes in the brain as well as reduced expression of AChE = acetylcholinesterase which has anti-depression/anxiety effect. Low AChE activity is associated with deficits in neurodevelopment)

1. THE BIOLOGICAL BASIS FOR
THE NEUROTOXICITY OF
VACCINES
Lucija Tomljenovic, PhD
Neural Dynamics Research Group
Faculty of Medicine
University of British Columbia

2. Question...
WHY WOULD AN IMMUNE CHALLENGE
SUCH AS VACCINATION, AFFECT
BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND/OR
FUNCTION ?

3. o “Until recently, the brain was studied almost exclusively by
neuroscientists and the immune system by immunologists,
fuelling the notion that these systems represented two
isolated entities.
o ....the crosstalk between these systems can no longer be
ignored and a new interdisciplinary approach is necessary.”

4. o Many proteins first identified in the immune system are also
expressed in the developing and adult nervous system.
Unexpectedly, recent studies reveal that a number of these
proteins, in addition to their immunological roles, are essential
for the establishment, function, and modification of synaptic
connections.

5. o “Recent studies demonstrate that immune molecules are present
at the right place and time to modulate the development and
function of the healthy and diseased central nervous system (CNS).
o “...functions for immune molecules during neural development
suggest that they could also mediate pathological responses to
chronic elevations of cytokines in neurodevelopmental disorders,
including autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.”

6. o “Despite the dogma that peripheral immune
responses could not affect CNS function under
normal circumstances, substantial evidence over the
past 10 years suggests that immune-CNS cross-talk
may be the norm rather than the exception.”

7. In: Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology:
A Lajtha, HO Besedovsky, A Galoyan (Eds), Springer, 2008.
o Because the communication between the immune system and
the brain occurs at multiple levels, this communication is now
defined as a “immune–neuroendocrine network.”
o The immune–neuroendocrine network plays a key role in:
‒ immune regulation
‒ brain function
‒ maintenance of general homeostasis
(circadian rhythms, endocrine and metabolic functions)

9. Disruption of the
immune-neuroendocrine network
leads to a wide range of diseases:
− neurological
− immuno-inflammatory
− metabolic disorders

11. What kind of disorder is autism?

12. “Increased oxidative stress and immune dysregulation are present in
autism spectrum disorders.”
“We recently demonstrated the presence of neuroglial and innate
neuroimmune system activation in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid
of patients with autism, findings that support the view that
neuroimmune abnormalities occur in the brain of autistic patients and
may contribute to the diversity of the autistic phenotypes.”

13. o The evidence that changes in brain activity occur during the
immune response implies that signals released by immune cells
mediate these effects.
o peripheral immune insults can directly stimulate the synthesis of
pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-1β, IL-6, TNF)-α within the
brain → brain inflammation
o It is clearly established that products derived from the immune
system, particularly cytokines, affect neuroendocrine functions.
− Laye et al. Mol Brain Res 1994; 27:157-162
− Besedovsky & Rey, Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular
Neurobiology, in: A. Lajtha, H.O. Besedovsky, A. Galoyan (Eds.), Springer,
2008
IMMUNE STIMULATION, IMMUNE CYTOKINES AND THEIR EFFECTS
ON BRAIN ACTIVITY

14. − Endocrine functions
− Autonomic functions
− Growth, differentiation and repair
− Neurotransmitter & neuropeptide
synthesis & release
− Neuronal activity and plasticity
− Learning & memory
− Behavior
− Sleep
− Pain
− Food intake
− Thermoregulation
Cytokines
NEUROENDOCRINE EFFECTS OF IMMUNE CYTOKINES

15. + Endocrine functions
+ Autonomic functions
+ Growth, differentiation and repair
+ Neurotransmitter & neuropeptide
synthesis & release
+ Neuronal activity and plasticity
NEUROENDOCRINE DEFFECTS IN AUTISM

16. + Learning
& memory
+ Behavior
+ Sleep
+ Pain
- Food intake
- Thermoregulation

17. Is autism in part caused by a disruption of the
immune-neuroendocrine network
via elevation of pro-inflammatory mediators
(cytokines)?

19. o We demonstrate an active neuroinflammatory process in the cerebral
cortex, white matter, and cerebellum of autistic patients.
o Immunocytochemical studies showed marked activation of microglia
and astroglia.
o Chemokines and cytokines MCP–1, IL-6 and TGF-1, derived from
neuroglia, were the most prevalent cytokines in brain tissues.
o Cerebrospinal fluid showed a unique proinflammatory profile of
cytokines, including a marked increase in MCP-1.

20. Which common peripheral immune insults other
than infections can induce the synthesis of
pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain
and the activation of glial cells?

22. Duplicating the pediatric vaccine schedule with
alum adjuvants in mice
2) Behavioral testing (social interaction) at 4-6 months of age
3) Sacrifice and collecting of brain tissue at 6 months of age
4) Semi-quantitative RT-PCR
5) Western blot for protein levels
Treatment Group
Mouse Age (days postnatal) Total Al injected
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 (ug/kg body weight)
High aluminum
(US)
170 150 110 80 20 20 550
Low aluminum
(SCA)
90 80 50 20 240
Control (saline) X X X X X X 0
1) Aluminum injection schedule:

23. Gene expression changes in male mice brains

24. Protein level changes in male mice brains

25. Genes affected in male mouse brains
Gene Function
NFKBIB NF-kappa-B inhibitor, which inhibits NF-kappa-B by complexing with,
and trapping it in the cytoplasm. NF-κB is the central regulator of
inflammation. Constitutive NF-κB activation is essential for
macrophage survival.
ACHE Neurotransmitter (Ach) degradative enzyme, acetylcholinesterase.
Anti-depression/anxiety effect. Low AChE activity is associated with
deficits in neurodevelopment, particularly in attention and memory.
CCL2/
MCP-1
Chemokine secreted by a few cell types including macrophage. A
cytokine involved in immunoregulatory and inflammatory processes.
IFNG Interferon gamma, a secreted product and potent activator of
macrophages. A soluble cytokine with antiviral, immunoregulatory and
anti-tumor properties.
TNF Tumor necrosis factor mainly secreted by macrophages.
Multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine.

26. Gene expression changes in female mice brains

27. BEHAVIORAL TESTS: LIGHT-DARK BOX
High aluminum group exhibits significantly increased anxiety &
reduced exploratory behavior. Females are more severely affected,
showing deficits even at low concentration of aluminum.

28. Males in the high aluminum group are significantly more lethargic
than those in the low aluminum group & control mice.
BEHAVIORAL TESTS: OPEN FIELD

29. 0
50
100
150
200
250
Object Mouse
Sniffingtime(sec)
CTRL females
US females
***
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Object Mouse
Sniffingtime(sec)
CTRL males
US males
BEHAVIORAL TESTS: SOCIAL INTERACTIONS

30. REPEATED VACCINATIONS =
Stimulation of aberrant immune responses
Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines in the brain
IMPAIRED BRAIN DEVELOPMENT & FUNCTION

31. MOREOVER….
Repeated immunization with foreign antigen compounds
causes systemic autoimmunity in mice otherwise not
prone to spontaneous autoimmune diseases.

32. o CD4+ T cells from repeatedly-immunized mice acquire the
ability to induce autoantibodies which results in
autoimmune tissue injury similar to that seen in human
autoimmune diseases.
o “SYSTEMIC AUTOIMMUNITY APPEARS TO BE THE
INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE OF OVER-STIMULATING THE
HOST’S IMMUNE ‘SYSTEM’ BY REPEATED IMMUNIZATION
WITH ANTIGEN.”

33. THE KEY PROBLEM IS NOT SINGLE VACCINES
THE KEY PROBLEM IS:

34. Otherreasons why vaccines tend to adversely affect
the centralnervous system
o Vaccine-derived aluminum persists in the body long after
injection (> 6 months)
o The alum adjuvant penetrates the blood-brain barrier carried by
macrophage cells. Once in the brain, alum has the potential to
trigger abnormal immuno-inflammatory reactions in the brain
34

36. Penetration of the blood-brain barrier by aluminum can
allow access of antibodies to the brain and cause
unwanted autoimmune reactions

37. Testing the hypothesis:
Is there experimental evidence to indicate that
antibodies induced by the HPV vaccine cross-
react with neural antigens?

38. Gardasil
Mouse serum
Mouse brain
protein extract
Gardasil antigens
(HPV-16, 18, 11, 6)
Anti-HPV antibody
Anti – HPV antibody binds to HPV
Brain extract inhibits
Anti – HPV antibody
binding to HPV
Mouse serum

39. Brain extract m/ml
%Inhibition
0
20
40
60
80
100
10 20 30 40 50
Gardasil + pertussis
Gardasil
Aluminum
Brain protein extract inhibits anti-HPV antibodies binding to
HPV antigens

40. 40
BRAIN
BLOOD
BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER
HPV-16L1 Anti-HPV-16L1
Alum
Autoimmunity
Neuro-inflammation
Macrophage

41. SUMMARY:
The neurotoxic risk of the HPV vaccine
o Neurotoxic action of the aluminum adjuvant
+
o Immuno-inflammatory effect of the HPV-16L1 vaccine
antigen
+
o Neuro-autoimmune effect of the cross-reactive HPV
vaccine-induced anti-HPV-16L1 antibody
41